Exodus 33-35 A Stiff-Necked People

by Jill Ice

Exodus 33:5 For the LORD had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people…”

Ouch.  Not a complimentary description of the people of Israel.  And it was not the first time God had used this phrase in reference to Israel (see Exodus 32:9). 

The people were not far removed from the miraculous events God had accomplished in bringing them out of Egypt.  Already the cycle had begun – repentance and renewed ambitions to follow God, then a fall into unbelief, bitterness and sin.  Moses was faithful to intercede to God on the people’s behalf time and time again. 

Lest we come down too hard on the cycle of belief and unbelief in the history of Israel, might we examine our own lives?  What traits of this stiff-necked people might we find evident upon a closer look?

Here are eight marks* of a stiff-necked people:

1.    Certainty that you are right.

2.    Refusal to listen to anyone else.

3.    Defensive when criticized.

4.    Making excuses for your shortcomings.

5.    Lashing out at others.

6.    No desire to examine your own life.

7.    Repeated pattern of misbehavior.

8.    Prayer without repentance.

-*Dr. Ray Pritchard

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 

(Psalm 51:10)